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| Garth Barfoot |
It’s widely respected as New Zealand’s
benchmark cycling event, and now in its 38th year, the Contact Lake
Taupo Cycle Challenge is celebrating a milestone in the events history. Since
1994 it has been owned and organised by the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana and
involves over 800 local volunteers belonging to 25 groups who provide much
needed support to the participants throughout the weekend.
It’s 20 years since the introduction
of multiple lap enduro categories at the event. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge began
in 1977 with just 26 participants! Today, the event has grown into NZ’s premier
and largest cycling event, but it still retains a unique community feel. Best
known for its one lap 160km bike ride around Lake Taupo, event organisers will
be celebrating its endurance riders, and hope everyone will join with them in
applauding these committed bunch of individuals.
Over the 20 years, there have been an
incredible 1347 riders who have taken on 2 or more laps of Lake Taupo, covering
a distance of up to 1600km.
Event Director Kay Brake says, “This year’s
entrants in the Barfoot & Thompson 2 lap Enduro, 4 lap Maxi Enduro and 8
lap Extreme Enduro will all receive a special anniversary memento, with plans
well underway for a an extra special Enduro breakfast showcasing the past 20
years . The Barfoot & Thompson 2 lap Enduro will again be recognised as
this year’s UMCA (Ultra Marathon Cycling Associations) 200 mile World
Championship event, last year won by kiwis Jim McMurray and Kim Hurst.”
Long-time supporter, enduro rider and naming
rights partner to the enduro categories, 76 year old Garth Barfoot of Barfoot
& Thompson fame comments “Barfoot & Thompson is proud to be behind such
an iconic event and to align ourselves with the Enduro race, a race that I have
raced several times in the past. We are proud to be part of the 20 years
celebrations this year and we look forward to watching it grow in the years to
come”
Held on the last Saturday of every November
around the shores of Lake Taupo, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will
celebrate its 38th anniversary on Saturday the 29th of
November 2014. Proceeds from the event are returned to a range of community
projects with Heart Kids NZ (http://www.heartnz.org.nz)
as the official charity
Entries are available now at: www.cyclechallenge.com
